IN REVIEW: Butch Walker - "American Love Story"

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Butch Walker's eighth solo album (I still hold the torch for Marvelous 3 and their three records from 1997-2000) has many ambitions. For those familiar with his career to this point, the first ambition is to surprise; after building his formidable discography with sugary, nostalgic hard rock and introspective folk, American Love Story is his vision of a rock opera complete with spoken word segués, so many references to classic rock songs it's dizzying, and a loose narrative following a small town redneck learning to love and accept the differences in his life.

It also aims to start a conversation in America, which is made plain by the incessant repetition of "are we having a conversation?" in The Singer, which serves as the album's introduction; it gets a bit grating, but effectively hammers the point. From there, strap in if you're a fan of classic rock radio; this album is described by Walker as being "wrapped up in a soundtrack that sounds like the FM radio and MTV of my younger years", and he's not kidding in the least. Walker's songs here are practically interwoven with other songs like some towns are twinned with similar-spirited towns in other countries; Gridlock's twin is Fleetwood Mac's Dreams, Flyover State goes from singing its chorus to the tune of The Lion Sleeps Tonight to just singing The Lion Sleeps Tonight, and on and on it goes, with most songs sliding in nods to multiple classic staples (the hilarious 35 second segué Blinded By the White is literally a radio dial flipping through stations all playing classic songs replacing one of the titular words with "white"). American Love Story is part concept album and part classic rock trivia game, and I can't argue the results when Fuck It (I Don't Like Love), his take on REO Speedwagon's Take It On the Run, has me rocking in my seat.

As fun as it is picking out the references (like, how does Out in the Open sound like Peter Gabriel, Mr. Mister and Dire Straits at the same time? What sorcery is this?), American Love Story's subject matter is decidedly not very fun at all; Walker takes aim at the divisions in America through the use of characters, some of which use some pretty harsh language (including homophobic and racist slurs) to get their points across. It's potentially triggering to sensitive listeners, but it's sadly accurate in terms of the mindsets of many people; still, buyer beware.

With its flawed characters, witty writing and all-encompassing nostalgia trip, American Love Story ends up being a fun album to listen to even as it provokes and instigates; whether or not it will be successful at starting its intended conversation might be kind of doubtful considering most of Walker's intended targets are too busy listening to Toby Keith and the like, but you can't fault him for trying. Most of American Love Story's headlines will talk about the record's ambition or controversial language, but it's also important to talk about the record's heart, especially as it hurtles toward its hopeful conclusion. The idea that we can get through turbulent times and hurtful beliefs and become better people is what American Love Story is most interested in at the end of the day; maybe, just maybe, it all starts with a conversation.

May 8, 2020 • Ruby Red
Highlights Gridlock • Fuck It (I Don't Like Love) • Torn in the USA

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